The International Hearing Society (IHS) is a vigilant advocate of consumer protection. We strongly support programs and legislation that best serve the interests of the hearing impaired. In so doing, we work hard to ensure open access to all hearing healthcare providers so those in need have readily available, quality care.
The Advocacy Alliance was created to fund the government relations activities necessary to accomplish our mission. Toward that goal, we have mapped the components of our legislative affairs projections. This represents a series of ongoing activities, as well as targeted legislation and initiatives.
Model Legislation Creation
IHS has developed a Model Licensure Act for the Dispensing of Hearing Instruments. This model bill recognizes the importance of all qualified members of the hearing healthcare team. This model bill will be distributed to chapter leaders to use as a template for the IHS vision of comprehensive licensure standards.
Analysis of Weak Statutes
In coordination with the IHS model bill, we will identify those states with statutes that leave dispensers vulnerable. Areas such as minimum qualifications and continuing education will be of highest priority.
Development & Implementation of Strategies to Address Weak Statutes
Once states with weak statutes are identified, IHS will work with leadership and appropriate committees to develop and implement strategies to amend legislation or rules.
Legislative and Regulatory Monitoring
IHS will continue to monitor legislative and regulatory activity and share information with chapter leaders. This is accomplished through a subscription to a state legislative reporting and tracking service.
Legislative Review and Recommendation
IHS will continue to provide a review and analysis of legislation and provide specific recommendations and documentation for addressing areas of concern.
Work with Affiliate Chapters
IHS will continue to work with chapter leadership on legislative concerns, relationship-grooming with allied professionals and legislators, and grassroots initiatives and strategies.
Work with AAO-HNS on State Initiatives
IHS will continue to partner with the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) at the state level. When areas of common concern are identified, staff will coordinate leadership from both organizations to provide a unified front for change.
Educate State Legislators Through Participation in the National
Conference of State Legislators
IHS regularly exhibits at the NCSL conference which provides direct access to thousands of state legislators and staff to promote education and awareness of hearing health issues at the state level.
Hearing Aid Tax Credit
IHS actively supports the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act that provides a federal tax credit to hearing aid purchasers. We will continue to aggressively educate legislators of its potential to help reach the millions of hearing impaired who have not yet sought treatment. IHS will continue to meet with legislators and allied hearing health organizations on this important initiative.
Capitol Hill Visits
IHS will continue to schedule face-to-face meetings and foster relations with federal legislators on a regular basis to assure the IHS platform is reinforced.
Hearing on the Hill
IHS participates in the Hearing Industries Association’s initiative to educate federal legislators on the importance of hearing healthcare. IHS leadership provides hearing screening, meets with legislators, and builds relationships with allied hearing healthcare leaders.
Congressional Hearing Health Caucus
The Congressional Hearing Health Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate committed to supporting the needs of those who are deaf or hearing impaired. IHS is a member of the Friends of Hearing Health (formerly known as the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus Advisory Committee). As such we will continue to participate in coordinated efforts with other industry and consumer groups before Congress.
AAO-HNS/IHS Joint Leadership Conference
The leadership of IHS and AAO-HNS meets annually to discuss areas of mutual concern, hearing health trends, and strategies to accomplish our common goals.
Vigilance and Consumer Awareness
IHS will maintain our diligence in protecting the profession at the federal level and expanding consumer awareness of the importance of hearing health and benefits of amplification. We will remain ever-watchful for any signs of legislative trends that will be detrimental to the general good of the hearing impaired and battle against such legislation as it is introduced.
Canadian AAO-HNS
Given IHS’s beneficial relationship forged AAO-HNS in the U.S., a similar partnership is being developed with our Canadian membership.
Implementation of IHS Standards in Europe
IHS has been working with representatives in Ireland to form government-sanctioned recognition of hearing health professionals and implementing regulations based on IHS distance learning materials and international licensing examination standards. This model will be the springboard for implementation in other European nations.
IHS appreciates the financial support of activities that are undertaken for the benefit of the hearing healthcare industry and the hearing impaired we serve. To help fund these projects, IHS encourages its affiliate chapters to contribute to our Advocacy Alliance. By working together on these and future initiatives, we can build on our long history of service to the hearing impaired.
